|
NBA
Jun 17, 2021 10:57:58 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 17, 2021 10:57:58 GMT
Philly and Utah are on the ropes!
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 18, 2021 15:15:23 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 18, 2021 15:15:23 GMT
Well, that did take Brad Stevens long:
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 18, 2021 15:32:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by B.E. on Jun 18, 2021 15:32:15 GMT
Philly and Utah are on the ropes! Huge games tonight! SJS, do you have any confidence in your Sixers to extend the series on the road?
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 18, 2021 15:34:57 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 18, 2021 15:34:57 GMT
Philly and Utah are on the ropes! Huge games tonight! SJS, do you have any confidence in your Sixers to win in ATL? Yes, I am still predicting the Sixers to win the series. They are the better team (I think ) and now that their backs are against the wall...
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 18, 2021 16:08:45 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 18, 2021 16:08:45 GMT
Well, that did take Brad Stevens long:
The thing is, OKC has been making great moves during their past few rebuilding seasons. They keep taking on these older and/or big-contract guys that other teams decide are anchors (and getting picks in the process), let them play a little and rest a lot, then deal them to teams who think those same vets might help put them over the top (and getting picks in that process, too).
Just like they got a 1st to take, then to move Horford, I'll bet you anything they'll get a pick when they trade Kemba, too. Probably the year after next, which will be the final season of his deal and some playoff team will think it's worth a midseason acquisition on an expiring deal.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 19, 2021 15:11:45 GMT
Post by B.E. on Jun 19, 2021 15:11:45 GMT
If I'm the Sixers, I move forward with Embiid, but I trade Ben Simmons. His inability to shoot is just too great a liability. ( Unless he'll be willing to come off the bench and be paid accordingly.) Edit: Scratch that, he's got 4 more years of a max deal left.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 21, 2021 12:05:59 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 21, 2021 12:05:59 GMT
Yikes, sorry Sheriff John Stone... As much as I've enjoyed watching the Hawks rebuild in recent years, I certainly wouldn't have predicted when the season began that they'd topple Philly this season.
I'm thinking we've seen the last of the Embiid-Simmons duo. And while I love Simmons, if he's going to take 4 shots in 36 minutes in a Game 3, that's just not going to cut it. Even though he's not a very good shooter, he should be getting more shots than that just on putbacks, post-ups, fast breaks, cuts, and drives. 13 assists to only 2 turnovers is brilliant; 8 rebounds is great ... but 5 points for a max player? That's worse than Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 21, 2021 12:13:35 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 21, 2021 12:13:35 GMT
Yikes, sorry Sheriff John Stone ... As much as I've enjoyed watching the Hawks rebuild in recent years, I certainly wouldn't have predicted when the season began that they'd topple Philly this season.
I'm thinking we've seen the last of the Embiid-Simmons duo. And while I love Simmons, if he's going to take 4 shots in 36 minutes in a Game 3, that's just not going to cut it. Even though he's not a very good shooter, he should be getting more shots than that just on putbacks, post-ups, fast breaks, cuts, and drives. 13 assists to only 2 turnovers is brilliant; 8 rebounds is great ... but 5 points for a max player? That's worse than Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace.
It's a complicated situation. So many questions. The free throw shooting. No outside shot. Doc Rivers as his coach. Simmons' work ethic. His mental toughness. Maybe a new role/position. His contract. He's still young. The positives (defense and rebounding). And on and on.
It might just come down to Philadelphia. The cat's out of the bag. The genie is out of the bottle. The Pandora's Box is opened. Philadelphia - the fans and the media - might NOT ALLOW Simmons to stay in Philly, if you know what I mean.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 21, 2021 17:17:05 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 21, 2021 17:17:05 GMT
A local columnist--again, as we've heard this chatter here before--suggests maybe the Wolves ought to trade for Ben Simmons.
The two basic scenarios suggested as optional are: - Roughly straight-up for D'Angelo Russell (similar salaries, and Russell has two fewer years left on his deal). - Malik Beasley and some more salary (e.g., mid-priced player and a pick).
I love Ben Simmons, personally, but I also am aware of his flaws. They are (as referenced in the column) similar to Ricky Rubio's, actually. And Rubio is still on the roster next season barring another trade. I will say this: you absolutely cannot have both on the roster, as both deserve significant playing time but can't be on the court together.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 23, 2021 11:55:22 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 23, 2021 11:55:22 GMT
OK, our draft lottery is set.
1. Detroit 2. Houston 3. Cleveland 4. Toronto 5. Orlando 6. Oklahoma City
7. Golden State 8. Orlando 9. Sacramento 10. New Orleans
11. Charlotte 12. San Antonio
13. Indiana 14. Golden State
For me, the most interesting question now is where Jalen Suggs goes: Houston? Cleveland? Toronto?
That's the question because Minnesota landed seventh, which means the pick we owed GS from the Russell-Wiggins trade moved to them. I'm hoping our 2020 1st rounder Leandro Bolmaro--a really exciting point forward type--leaves FC Barcelona to join the Wolves as a rookie next season. Honestly he'd be a lottery pick in this draft were he in it.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 24, 2021 13:32:49 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 24, 2021 13:32:49 GMT
First: Trae Young. My goodness. And it's worth noting that over the past year or more, MANY fans have been mocking the Hawks over dealing Luka Doncic for Young on draft night a few years back. While I still think Doncic is the better player, Young is in the conference Finals; Luka, his NBA season over, is training with the Slovenian national team in an attempt to reach the Olympics.
Speaking of the Olympics, we seem to have our roster finalized (though it wouldn't surprise me for a few changes at the last minute based on injuries or playoff schedule). (Positions based on best guesses as to where they'll see minutes in the Olympics more than NBA positions.)
PGs: Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday SGs: Brad Beal, Devin Booker, Zach LaVine
SF: Kevin Durant, Khris Middleton PF: Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green, Jerami Grant
C: Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love
Obviously based on talent alone, the competition should be easy for the USA. But it hasn't been a sure thing for almost 20 years, so hopefully nobody gets too cocky.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 24, 2021 16:44:06 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 24, 2021 16:44:06 GMT
Welcome Back Rick Carlisle!
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 24, 2021 17:58:44 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 24, 2021 17:58:44 GMT
Welcome Back Rick Carlisle!
Hopefully this time none of his players will decide to take on the crowd in hand-to-hand combat.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons's agent and 76ers management are in talks to determine the player's future with the franchise. One would think that the four remaining years on a recently signed max deal were the resolution of such talks, but the sports world doesn't work that way anymore.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 24, 2021 20:56:06 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jun 24, 2021 20:56:06 GMT
A local columnist--again, as we've heard this chatter here before--suggests maybe the Wolves ought to trade for Ben Simmons.
The two basic scenarios suggested as optional are: - Roughly straight-up for D'Angelo Russell (similar salaries, and Russell has two fewer years left on his deal). - Malik Beasley and some more salary (e.g., mid-priced player and a pick).
I'm trying to let the dust settle and not think emotionally, and to try to look at what the 76ers really have in Simmons. I have a feeling this is about what you're gonna get with Ben Simmons for the rest of his career. Yeah, he probably has a couple more All Star teams to make. He'll be a perennial contender for the All-defensive team. And, he'll probably improve his free throw shooting and maybe even develop a little jump shot - how much is the magic question. If you're happy with all of that, and you think his salary is worth that, then he's yours. I don't think Daryl Morey is satisfied with that because the 76ers probably won't win a championship with it. They need more from that position scoring-wise and more bang for their buck...literally. I'm not copping out, but I think there's a 50-50 chance that Simmons is moved. Either way wouldn't surprise me.
Oh, and I'd take either of those scenarios above.
|
|
|
NBA
Jun 24, 2021 21:08:34 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 24, 2021 21:08:34 GMT
How about this? (Not rumored, just me playing around.)
Malik Beasley, Ricky Rubio, and some future draft considerations for Ben Simmons.
20-21 stats:
Beasley (24 yo): 19.6 ppg on .440 FG, .399 3pt, .850 FT; 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg 3 years left on contract (third year team option), around $15m per year.
Rubio (30 yo): 8.6 ppg on .388 FG, .308 3pt, .867 FT; 3.3 rpg, 6.4 apg in 26.1 mpg Entering final year of contract, around $17.8m.
Here is my argument: Beasley provides some more much-needed shooting, can play either wing spot and a little point in a pinch, is young, has serious scoring talent, and can really help defend. He's an active player with a pretty good all-around game. Rubio has his well known limitations, but he's a more willing and much better shooter than Simmons. He's also as good or better a passer than Simmons, and a really strong defender...and a GREAT leader. And he offers a transitional year, a stable, proven guy while Philly figures it out.
And Philly saves a ton of money on this thanks to Rubio's expiring deal, leaving just Beasley (with less than half of Simmons's salary) on the books.
|
|